Swimming pool cleaner head mounting ring

ABSTRACT

In combination with a swimming pool cleaner having a head portion with a multi-flange exterior surface defined by alternating grooved sections formed between the flanges, a device for mounting a set of two suction wings, respectively, to each side of the head portion that assist in the accumulation and collection of dirt and debris and offers stability to the vacuum head as it is moved along the pool surface. The device, which is generally oval shaped and flat, is adapted to be deformed and dimensioned for tight fitting containment and retention within one of the grooved sections. The device is fabricated from a single piece of material and includes integrally formed and laterally extending first and second hinged portions adapted to be replaceably affixed to the suction wings, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of swimming pool cleaners and more particularly, to an improved device for mounting suction wings used to assist in the accumulation and collection of dirt and debris.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Swimming pool cleaners are commonplace and are instrumental in maintaining swimming pools clean of dirt and debris and relatively sanitary. Although the initial investment to purchase a pool cleaner may be considerable, over time the total cost is much less expensive than incurring the expense of a weekly or even bimonthly pool service. One of the most popular pool cleaners is sold under the trademark Kreepy Krauly™ and includes a head portion located near the vacuum intake where suction wings are installed to assist in the accumulation and collection of dirt and debris.

Prior art suction wings or just wings, as they are also called, are integrally formed with a ring employed to mount the wings to the exterior of the neck portion proximate to the suction head. The ring and the two wings are normally fashioned from a single piece of material and include a hinged grooved portion cut into the material (i.e., scored) where the wings and hinged portions are theoretically joined. The grooved or scored areas enable the hinges to be flexible and allow the wings limited vertical movement as the suction head moves along the various contours of the pool surface and over and around dirt and debris of various shapes and sizes. The ring is closed at one end and open at the other where two arms interlock to fasten and secure the ring around the neck of the vacuum head. Typically, the scored area where the hinge is grooved will suffer fatigue and weaken after a while rendering the suction wings relatively ineffective as a useful means of accumulating and collecting debris. Similarly, the interlock arms that secured the ring and wings to the vacuum head is also an area that eventually will suffer fatigue (the two parts lose their ability to remain interlocked) rendering the connection weak and unreliable. If either should occur, the entire assemblage (not just the mounting ring) requires replacement, and this can become costly and burdensome over time.

Examples of prior art are found in the following disclosures: Issue/ Patent/Publication No. Publication Date Inventor US 2004/0025289 A1 Feb. 12, 2004 Jorge Garcia Virgili, et al. US 2002/0092124 A1 Jul. 18, 2002 Luciano Scian, et al. 3,360,816 Jan. 02, 1968 Nicholas A. Fontecchio 4,023,227 May 17, 1977 Fernand Louis Oscar Joseph Chauvier 4,152,802 May 8, 1979 Daniel J. V. D. Chauvier 4,156,948 Jun. 5, 1979 Fernand L. O. J. Chauvier, et al. 4,193,156 Mar. 18, 1980 Fernand L. O. J. Chauvier 4,637,086 Jan. 20, 1987 John Goode 5,014,382 May 14, 1991 Dieter H. F. Kallenbach 5,265,297 Nov. 30, 1993 Robert F. Gould, et al. 5,398,361 Mar. 21, 1995 Kurt N. Cason 5,655,246 Aug. 12, 1997 Paul C. Chang 5,706,540 Jan. 13, 1998 Weislaw Niewiarowski 6,125,492 Oct. 3, 2000 Gary Craig Prowse 6,226,826 May 8, 2001 Rice et al. 6,298,513 Oct. 9, 2001 Rief et al. 6,379,542 Apr. 30, 2002 Campbell 6,662,394 Dec. 16, 2003 Balint

However, nothing in the prior art teaches a device or assemblage of components that combine the features and employ the improvements of the mounting ring of the present invention.

Accordingly, there is a need for the mounting ring of the present invention to address and resolve the differences and deficiencies among the devices of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, the present invention provides in combination with a swimming pool cleaner having a head portion with a multi-flange exterior surface defined by alternating grooved sections formed between the flanges, a device for mounting a set of two suction wings respectively to each side of the head portion that assist in the accumulation and collection of dirt and debris and offers stability to the vacuum head as it is moved along the pool surface. The device, which is generally oval shaped and flat, is adapted to be deformed and dimensioned for tight fitting containment and retention within one of the grooved sections. The device is fabricated from a single piece of material and includes integrally formed and laterally extending first and second hinged portions adapted to be replaceably affixed to the suction wings, respectively.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that is fashioned from a single piece of material and includes laterally extending and integrally formed hinged portions employed to attach and secure the suction wings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that is fashioned from deformable material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that is adapted to be deformed and dimensioned and seated in tight fitting containment and retention around and upon the exterior surface of the neck of the vacuum head.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that is adapted to be replaceably affixed to the suction wings to enable the ring to be more easily removed and replaced.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that is adapted to be affixed to the suction wings using a variety of conventional means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that enables the wings to maximize their ability to accumulate and collect dirt and debris along the various contours of the swimming pool surface.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that enables the wings to maximize their ability to stabilize the swimming pool cleaner and more particularly the vacuum head as it goes about doing its work.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for mounting suction wings to or near the vacuum head of a popular type of swimming pool cleaner that is easy to install and remove and is cost effective to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specifications when considered in light of the attached drawings wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known prior art automatic pool cleaner.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting ring in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting ring with suction wings attached to the lateral hinged portions of the ring in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device shown assembled in FIG. 3 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting ring shown being installed proximate to the vacuum head of the swimming pool cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting ring shown installed and in combination with a popular type of swimming pool cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the mounting ring in FIG. 5 shown installed proximate to the vacuum head of the swimming pool cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of mounting ring 10 in accordance with the present invention. Mounting ring 10 includes laterally extending and integrally formed first hinge portion 12 and second hinge portion 14, which have a slightly angled or swept orientation and are adapted to be replaceably attached to first suction wing 16 and second suction wing 18, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 7. Mounting ring 10 is generally oval in shape and flat, though it is not necessarily restricted to this shape or configuration.

Mounting ring 10 is utilized in combination with a popular type of swimming pool cleaner 20, which includes a head portion 22 having a multi-flange exterior surface 24 consisting of a plurality of flanged sections 26. Between flanged sections 26 are grooved sections 28.

First suction wing 16 and second suction wing 18 are mounted to each side of head portion 22 and extend laterally therefrom through the application of mounting ring 10, to which suction wings 16 and 18 are affixed.

In order to install mounting ring 10, ring 10 (usually with suction wings 16 or 18 already attached), which is elastic, is deformed to fit around opening 30 at the base of head portion 22 (FIG. 5) and seated conformly into any one of grooved sections 28, though preferably the grooved section closest to opening 30. The resiliency and elasticity of the material along with the structural features comprising mounting ring 10 allows the suction wings greater vertical flexibility as they are moved along the pool surface (not shown) to assist in the collection of dirt and debris and the mounting ring 10, including hinge portions 12 and 14, much greater longevity than the predecessor devices in the prior art.

Replacing mounting ring 10 simply requires deforming the ring to expand its diameter to slip ring 10 over and off head portion 22. The means to affix suction wings 16 and 18 to mounting ring 10 are then removed and, if possible, used again to attach the wings to a new mounting ring. Typically, a combination of screws 40 and nuts 42 are used to attach the wings to mounting ring 10. A rigid strip of plastic 44 or some other suitable material is employed to create a protective buffer between the material comprising the more delicate wing material and the metal screws and nuts. Hinge portions 12 and 14 and strip 44 include openings 45 and 46, respectively, for receiving screws 40.

Mounting ring 10 is usually fabricated of any suitable resilient, flexible material, such as rubber or any appropriate synthetic.

While the invention will be described in connection with a certain preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. In combination with a swimming pool cleaner having a head portion with a multi-flanged exterior surface with alternating grooved sections formed between said flanges, a device for mounting first and second suction wings to each side of said head portion that assists in the accumulation and collection of dirt and debris, comprising: a mounting ring adapted to be deformed and seated in tight fitting containment and retention within one of said grooved sections, said mounting ring having laterally extending and integrally formed first and second hinge portions adapted to be replaceably attached to said first and second suction wings, respectively.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said hinge portions are attached to said first and second suction wings with a plurality of nuts and bolts.
 3. The device of claim 1 comprised of resilient elastic material.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said hinge portions enable bendable vertical movement of said first and second suction wings.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said hinge portions are integrally formed with said mounting ring in a fixed angled relationship, with said first and second suction wings, respectively.
 6. In combination with a swimming pool cleaner having a head portion with a flanged exterior surface with alternating spaces formed between said flanges, a device for mounting first and second suction wings to each side of said head portion that assists in the accumulation and collection of dirt and debris, comprising: a mounting ring fabricated of a single piece of material adapted to be deformed and seated in tight fitting containment and retention within one of said spaces, said mounting ring having laterally extending and integrally formed first and second hinge portions adapted to be replaceably attached to said first and second suction wings, respectively. 